i have a friend who's absolutely retarded for the tarheels and thinks almost every north carolina player entering the draft is going to be a all-star and even he doesn't know why Henson is being touted as a lotto pick.

IMO, size, wingspan, quickness and athleticism often get overvalued this time of year. What ever happened to stuff like dribbling, shooting, bbiq and court vision (ie: passing, off-ball play)???

So many fans are disappointed in DD, yet it's quite clear that he excels at the trendy sabermetric-type intangibles, while being below average in a lot of the more tangible, fundamental areas. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the top 15 or so draft picks to see who has strengths in the intangibles VS tangibles.

Anyone have any information, tweets from scouts etc..on how the workout which the Warriors hosted yesterday went? Apparently a few mid to late 1st round and second round calibre players were in attendance including Tony Wroten Jr.

DraftNet ranks SF and SG

Draftnet (i know, i know) did a rundown on the top small forwards and shooting guards. 1 + 2 are interesting, though i must say the actual scouting reports on each player are actually really good. Minus Beal.

The small forward field is filled with valuable complimentary pieces that can add balance to an uneven unit. Nobody on this list necessarily has superstar potential, but many are capable of earning long-term starting roles or holding significant reserve responsibilities. Small forwards are generally the most versatile athletes in the sport, and that's certainly the case with a number of the following prospects. Here are our top ten small forwards who've declared for 2012.

1. Harrison Barnes 6-8 223 SF UNC

Harrison Barnes
Barnes' image took a hit after an NCAA tournament meltdown, but that shouldn't hinder his stock as a long-term prospect. Physically, Barnes fits the NBA small forward mold like a perfectly shaped Tetris piece. His ability to catch and shoot with range, fluidity and a high release point make him a constant threat as a floor-spacer off the ball. This is a skill that keeps his basement high while minimizing his risk- worst case scenario he's assigned to spotup duties as a shooter and slasher, a useful service to offer. But Barnes overall polish as an offensive player should prevent any limitation of his potential. He's a class act, smart kid, and presents a win-win option for teams in need of some shot-making.

2. Michael Kidd Gilchrist 6-7 232 SF UK Fr.

I'm sure many of you are questioning how we can rank Barnes over MKG. A fair debate. But it's also easy to let Kidd-Gilchrist's likeability factor cloud one's judgement in terms of projecting the extent of his potential. Offensively he's still somewhat raw, and isn't a likely option to create half court offense. However with room in front of him, there's no one better. While Barnes sees separation as an opportunity to pull up, MKG sees it as his chance to ferociously attack the rim. His athleticism, explosiveness and strength allow him to burst through the slightest of gaps, absorb contact and finish in traffic. While his perimeter game is certainly not a strength, he's proven capable of pulling up off one dribble or spotting up given he's balanced and set. But it's his off-ball activity, relentless motor and unteachable intangibles that make him such a treasured commodity. Though his offensive ceiling is lower than Barnes, he can certainly be picked in front of him. He's the ultimate glue-guy, an outright winner and a legitimate two-way player.

3. Moe Harkless 6-7 207 SF St. John's Fr.

Moe Harkless
If it takes four stages to summit a mountain, then Harkless just completed his first. It could be 3-4 years down the road before he really hits his stride, but when he does, the team that owns his rights will be thrilled with their investment. I'm high on Harkless, and have watched him as close as any prospect this year. He has the fluidity of a small forward with the interior instincts of a 4. Harkless has the ability to hit tough shots at awkward angles- it's creating the easy ones that will be his challenge moving forward. Harkless' jumper was inconsistent, but he showed accuracy when balanced. Physically he's long and athletic, which helps him tremendously making plays off the ball. Defensively he anticipates, closes out on shooters and regularly contests shots. Yes, he lacks the strength to defend the post, but his length and mobility will allow him to guard opposing 3s. Right now, he's an impact player off the ball. By 2015, he could be a threat with it.

4. Terrence Jones 6-9 240 SF Kentucky So.

Terrence Jones' stock has dipped from the start of his freshman year, which can be attributed to inconsistencies and a questionable motor. My take: Being surrounded by an unusual amount of talent has at times flushed out Jones' potential production, which has led to frustration that deflates confidence and motivation. But in terms of talent, Jones has it. A combo-forward who can play off one foot or two, in the post or on the perimeter. Facing up, Jones has a deceptively quick first step and the mobility to effectively use angles and attack the rim. Though he shot 32% from downtown, he's proven capable of knocking down shots out of the triple threat or spotting up. Plus with a deeper three-point line, there should be better spacing for Jones to get comfortable. His versatility at 6'9 should help generate interest starting in the late lottery. If a coach can carve out a specific role for Jones to fill while keeping him motivated, Jones could end up being a valuable long-term contributor to a front court unit.

5. Royce White 6-8 260 SF/PF Iowa St.

White's game requires evaluators to extend the boundaries of their thinking box. His style isn't out of the box when you consider the success of guys like Anthony Mason and Boris Diaw, who owned similar skill-sets. But White is clearly a unique prospect because of what he offers at his position, which can be classified quite possibly as a point-forward. His ability to facilitate from multiple spots on the floor, handle the ball and work the glass allow his counterparts to concentrate on fulfilling their respective roles. White lacks upside, and his anxiety disorder could be a concern to mid-first round buyers. But if his disorder doesn't derail things, he's a safe bet to fit in and help improve a unit's on-court chemistry and rhythm.

6. Jeffrey Taylor 6-7 220 SF Vanderbilt Sr.

One of the most encouraging qualities or patterns to show prospective employers is gradual improvement. Jeffery Taylor is in the midst of his ascent towards becoming a multidimensional contributor, which is what kept him from first round consideration in years past. He shot a lights out 42% from downtown on almost two makes per game, after hitting only one three-ball his whole sophomore year and shooting 34% as a junior. Taylor is a phenomenal athlete at 6'7 with defensive lockdown potential, but it's his offensive game that's given his stock such a boost. Possessing the ability to defend, finish at the rim and spot-up make Taylor an attractive prospect as a reliable role player.

7. Quincy Miller 6-9 210 SF Baylor Fr.

Miller probably killed it playing 1 on 1 in his driveway growing up. He's outstanding in isolation, with the ability to create and knock down shots that are difficult to contest. At 6'9 with his perimeter skills, Miller could end up presenting opposing forwards with a serious mismatch. Unfortunately his infamous ACL tear in high school has hampered his speed and explosiveness, which limits his overall ceiling. But after declaring for the draft following his freshman year, it's possible he's drawn interest at the back of round 1. One of those guys who needs a few years to develop, his offensive upside might be worth it.

8. Kostas Popanikolaou 6-8 230 SF Panathinaikos (Greece) 1990

Kostas Papanikolaou
Kostas Popanikolaou's strong performance in the Euroleague Final Four has put him back on the NBA radar just a month before the draft. Though a sub-par to average athlete, his motor and competitiveness help neutralize some of his physical limitations. He's a lefty sharpshooter with long arms, substantial height and numerous complimentary qualities. Papanikolaou won't generate much of his own offense, but his potential as a role player could trigger interest from teams looking to improve spacing and offensive efficiency.

9. Kris Joseph 6-7 220 SG/SF Syracuse Sr.

Few prospects are as frustrating to evaluate as Joseph, who looks the part but fails to play it all too often. However that's why them call them prospects, and not final products. Though he still struggles as a shot-creator, Joseph has improved his overall perimeter game, which includes spotting up and one-dribble pullups. His three-point shot and range, which I have consistently pegged as the difference between teams viewing Joseph as a raw athlete compared to a basketball player, looked much improved his senior year (especially his mechanics). Joseph's strengths play to up-tempo ball where he can get out and run, slash off the ball and finish in transition. Inconsistencies over a full college career will unfortunately temper any excitement he generates during predraft workouts. But if he can maximize his services by becoming a legitimate spot-up threat, teams will feel more inclined to take a chance on the athletic wing from Syracuse.

10a. Draymond Green 6-6 235 SF Michigan St. Sr.

Everybody loves Draymond. Hard not to, right? But as a prospect, he does have his flaws. Though named Big Ten Player of the Year, Green hasn't mastered any one skill that is coveted by NBA teams. He does however contribute in practically every category across the board, and presents a low-risk, low-reward option for prospective teams. The fear that Green won't be able to create his own offense can be padded by the fact that he can pass, rebound and spread the floor. His maturity, leadership qualities, work ethic and intangibles will help generate interest from teams looking for cushion as opposed to firepower.

10b. Darius Miller 6-6 210 SF Kentucky Sr.

Miller is likeable because he rarely puts himself in position to make a mistake. He's efficient- Miller gets to his spot on the floor, runs his assigned route and hits open shots at a high rate. His contribution will come mostly in the midrange coming off curls and back screens, but don't expect any magic from Miller off the dribble. There's nothing flashy about his game, but his efficient play could be used in an offensive set that struggles to convert once the top few options get shut down. He does have bust potential if he struggles to get open looks, but Miller's a risk worth taking in the second round.

The shooting guard field is a strong one, with all ten (eleven) of these guys capable of drawing first round interest. Last year the only 2-guards who went first round were Klay Thompson, Alec Burks, Iman Shumpert and Marshon Brooks. This year it wouldn't be a surprise to see the six 2s go top 20. Here are our ten best shooting guards who have declared in 2012.

1. Jeremy Lamb 6-6 180 SG UConn So.

Jeremy Lamb
Lamb is arguably the most dynamic perimeter scorer in the country when you consider his shot-creating/making abilities in the 15-25 foot range. He's a better shooter than his percentage suggests, and with arms long enough to row a paddle-less canoe, Lamb should get plenty of clean releases. Because of his offensive takeover capabilities, his upside surpasses Bradley Beal's, however a down-year showing a lack of leadership might have put a scare into NBA evaluators. Individual mentoring and daily practice reps with professionals can only help Lamb achieve his potential.

2. Bradley Beal 6-4 195 SG Florida Fr.

Though undersized for a natural two-guard, Beal has the NBA body (6'8 wingspan) to help mitigate his inch or two disadvantage. He'll become a fixture at the off-guard slot because of his pure shooting stroke and athleticism to defend, though his ceiling remains limited because his size. Still, Beal finished the season strong and has positioned himself as the safest choice of any off-guard in the draft pool.

3. Austin Rivers 6-4 203 SG Duke Fr.

Rivers has the talent required to score at the pro level, but lacks the size and strength to get easy buckets. Adjusting to his new role is a process, so any freshman blemishes shouldn't be magnified. He shot a respectable 36% from downtown while leading the Blue Devils in scoring. His offensive game is eerily similar to OJ Mayo's, although he doesn't have his build just yet. And while some question his attitude, I think it's just a side effect of a competitive drive and desire to be the best. Accepting the role and improving off the ball will give him the best shot as sustaining a 25-30 minute nightly assignment.

4. Terrence Ross 6-6 190 SG Washington So.

Though not as elusive off the dribble as the three mentioned above him, Ross' combination of athleticism, shot-making and defensive potential make him a multidimensional contributor. Ross showed an improved ability to create and finish in isolation operating on the perimeter, but has more promise as a complimentary piece at the next level. With so many likeable NBA qualities, Ross could be a steal from #15 on.

Doron Lamb
5. Doron Lamb 6-4 195 SG Kentucky So.

What strikes me about Lamb is his efficiency playing a position that's vulnerable to low-percentage basketball. Lamb shot 47% from the floor, 46% from three, 82% from the stripe and turned it over once every 31 minutes as a combo-guard. He's a safe bet to find a prominent role because of his natural shooting stroke and deceptive scoring ability. Rarely rattled by misses or pressure moments, Lamb has shined in situations where Kentucky needed a bucket. A solid athlete and willing defender, he's likely to strengthen and provide depth to an NBA backcourt.

6. Dion Waiters 6-4 210 SG Syracuse So.

Waiters' game is suited for next-level play considering his ability to shake defenders off the dribble and score in isolation. With a strong upper body to compliment his athleticism and shiftiness, Waiters can create and finish both at the rim and from the perimeter. Sixth man seems like a fitting role for electric combo-guard out of Cuse.

7. John Jenkins 6-4 185 SG Vanderbilt Jr.

He's the class of the draft in terms of three-point shooting, converting 44% on almost 9 three-point attempts per game. He's been over 40% through the course of his three-year collegiate career, displaying the reliability and consistency that helps assure his value as a potential first rounder. With strong instincts on the perimeter, Jenkins uses pump fakes and screens to effectively create separation needed for a clean look at the rim. His lack of athleticism or quickness makes the JJ Redick comparison an accurate one.

8. Evan Fournier 6-7 190 SG/SF France 1992

Fournier is an advanced scorer for his age thanks to impressive scoring instincts, crafty ball-handling and the strength required to absorb contact and finish. Attacking the rim, he's agile and displays body control when operating in traffic. Fournier has size to go along with valuable experience playing pro ball in Europe, and remains the lone international prospect worthy of first round consideration. He will have until June 18 to keep his name in or withdraw.

9. William Buford 6-5 185 SG Ohio St. Sr.

Buford is a shot-maker, and that's how he'll be used at the next level. He's a nice complimentary scoring option for a second unit that could use some firepower at the off-guard slot. He fits the physical profile for a shooting guard with the fluidity to man the wing. He could end up being a steal considering his maturity as a player and readiness as a prospect.

10a. Khris Middleton 6'7 215 SG Texas A&M Jr.

Khris Middleton
Middleton's refined midrange game and excellent size for a guard are his most coveted NBA qualities. While he currently lacks the quickness or one on one skills to threaten a defense off the dribble, Middleton provides his point guard with a safe option running off curls in the half court. He struggled in his junior season, but is an excellent shooter and could end up one of the draft's sleepers in the second round.

10b. Will Barton 6'6 180 SG Memphis So.

Barton has the athleticism and length that could make him a difficult guard to contain off the ball. He shot a respectable 34% from downtown, and showed a soft touch slashing towards the rim. He led the nation for guards in rebounding, the thing he does best, with 8 per game. However, Barton is seriously lacking in strength for a two-guard, which will make it more of a challenge for his game to be as effective at in the pros as it was in college.

IMO, size, wingspan, quickness and athleticism often get overvalued this time of year. What ever happened to stuff like dribbling, shooting, bbiq and court vision (ie: passing, off-ball play)???

But he's long! Long! With upside! I think where NBA teams often fall down in the draft is disregarding a players' productivity at the college/euro level. You can snap up good value late in drafts by taking productive players with lower ceilings who have been passed over for projects with upside. The reality is that most of the "upside" guys never pan out but NBA GMs and coaches will "coach 'em up" cause they're smarter and better than everyone else.

So many fans are disappointed in DD, yet it's quite clear that he excels at the trendy sabermetric-type intangibles, while being below average in a lot of the more tangible, fundamental areas. It would be interesting to do an analysis of the top 15 or so draft picks to see who has strengths in the intangibles VS tangibles.

Derozan, by most advanced metrics, is anywhere from a below average to bad SG. I don't know what "sabermetric" measurements you are referring to that value Derozan highly. I haven't seen any. He's a good illustration of the "we'll coach 'em up" mentality. It's chasing at windmills...

Derozan, by most advanced metrics, is anywhere from a below average to bad SG. I don't know what "sabermetric" measurements you are referring to that value Derozan highly. I haven't seen any. He's a good illustration of the "we'll coach 'em up" mentality. It's chasing at windmills...

I was referring to DD's athleticism, mainly. He was sold to fans based on his athleticism, hops and size at the SG position, for the most part. Now it's three years later and he still can't dribble or shoot from long range, at least not up to par for a starting SG who's supposedly a team's #2 scoring option.

haha perhaps. I wasn't hating on DD or anything, just agreeing that so many players seem to shoot up the draft board unexpectedly, fuelled more by measurements and athleticism, than their basketball skills and NCAA performance. I'm not upset by this, as it only adds intrigue and hope that one of my favourite targets might wind up slipping to the Raps at #8. Who knows, the offseason truly begins tomorrow night!

no i completely agree with you on DD. maybe not as vehemently, but i agree.

lol I just really hoped he would take that 'next step' this season, after such a strong second half last year. I still think he has loads of potential, especially given his age, and I'd be quite happy to see him continue to develop in a Raptors uniform. However, having said that, I also wouldn't be opposed to him being traded for a more proven wing player.

Over the weekend, I made visits to three California gyms to watch workouts -- one in Santa Monica, another in Reseda and a third in Oakland on Saturday.

The three workouts were all different. Over 80 general managers and NBA scouts attended a group workout for the Wasserman group on Friday morning. The workout was headlined by Terrence Jones, Fab Melo and Tony Wroten Jr. The workout was drill-oriented and didn't involve any actual competition.

On Friday afternoon, I was in the 360 gym to watch trainer Joe Abunassar work out his clients -- Terrence Ross, Arnett Moultrie, Jet Chang and Terrell Stoglin. After the workout, I was able to see the top prospects compete in some competitive four-on-four action alongside and against NBA players Austin Daye and Rasual Butler.

• If the draft plays out the way we expect it to, nine of the top 10 players in the draft will come from five of the biggest programs in college basketball -- Kentucky, UConn, North Carolina, Kansas and Baylor.

The 10th will be from lowly Weber State. The Big Sky school is located 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City and isn't known for producing draft picks (its best player was Willard Sojourner, a second-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 1971) -- let alone lottery picks. So pardon Lillard if he thinks that his sudden thrust into the limelight is a bit surreal.

Yes, he was the second-best scorer in college basketball last season at 24.5 ppg. Yes, he ranked with the lowest turnovers per possession (one turnover every 8.9 possesion) for any point guard in the country.Yes, he ranked No. 2 in John Hollinger's college PER at 33.58 behind only Anthony Davis. And yes, that efficiency ranking was especially impressive because Lillard used 25 percent of his team's possessions while Davis used just 15 percent.

Nevertheless, juniors from Weber State who were lightly recruited out of high school and missed almost their entire sophomore seasons with injuries aren't supposed to be lottery picks.

"I was surprised," Lillard said when I asked him how he reacted when we pegged him as a lottery pick in Feb. 21. "I was hearing second round. Maybe late first round. When you come from a school like Weber State, that's the most you can hope for. But lottery? Don't get me wrong, I think I belong. I just didn't think anyone else did."

Lillard owns a solid jump shot and showed that again during workouts.

Three months later, virtually everyone else does. The majority of scouts and GMs I spoke with this weekend had Lillard in the lottery. Many had him in the top 10. Most believe he'll be the first point guard taken on draft night. Once they see him in workouts, the few teams that are holding out are likely to come into the fold.

Lillard put on one of the most impressive workouts I've seen in a while. The grueling 1½-hour session had Lillard going full speed for the entire workout. He ran the length of the floor repeatedly, shuffled side to side with medicine balls, shot jumpers with a huge tether around his waist and, as the sweat poured down his face, he just kept hitting shot after shot after shot.

There are very few holes in Lillard's game. He's got a terrific jump shot with excellent range. While some scouts have questioned just how athletic he is, his agent, Aaron Goodwin, told me that he's consistently measuring out with a 40-inch vertical. On Saturday he was still exploding off the floor for emphatic dunks, even at the end of the workout. Lillard is quick with the ball and has a tight handle. While we didn't get to see this in the workout, he's a willing passer who is comfortable finding the open man.

Above it all, everyone who knows him says that the most impressive thing about Lillard is his work ethic. He is constantly trying to improve his game, and it's hard to get him out of the gym. He looked like he was incredible shape and has clearly been putting in the work to make sure teams know how good is.

It's tough to blame him.

Lillard was a late bloomer who didn't get much attention from scouting services or high-major recruiters (he was ranked as the No. 48 point guard in his class by ESPNU). He played AAU ball for the Oakland Rebels, not the elite Oakland Soldiers club. When Weber State came calling, Lillard was happy. After a terrific senior year in high school, a few major programs started to show interest, but Lillard felt like Weber State would be the best fit.

"I didn't want to be someone's backup plan," Lillard said. "I wanted to go to a team that wanted me to play an important role. I felt like Weber State would give me the chance to start over and become who I believed I could become. It was a great decision."

Lillard came in and was an instant impact player for the Wildcats. He averaged 11.5 ppg as a freshman and earned Big Sky freshman of the Year honors. As a sophomore, he averaged 19.9 ppg, shot 43 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 -- earning him first-team, all-Big Sky honors and getting him an honorable mention on the AP All-America team. As a junior, he broke his foot 10 games into the season and was given a medical redshirt by the NCAA.

Lillard spent the time off lifting weights and watching game film. He watched all 71 games the Wildcats had played in his time there and returned with both a stronger body and a higher basketball IQ.

Lillard was special as a junior and by midseason a number of scouts were predicting he could be the top point guard off the board on draft night. Lillard is now in competition with North Carolina's Kendall Marshall and Syracuse's Dion Waiters to be the first point guard off the board.

With several teams, including the Blazers, Raptors, Hornets and Suns (and possibly the Jazz if the Warriors fall to eighth in the lottery), on the prowl for a point guard, he could go as high as No. 6 and it's likely that he doesn't slip past 13 on draft night.

I've been an advocate of Damian Lillard since day one. I've said it before im a fan of toughness but even more of work ethic. You don't succeed in this league if you don't work hard. This dude just works hard and it shows. In the way his gotten better every year. If PJ3 is off the board than Lillards my guy. Make it happen BryCo!

Over the weekend, I made visits to three California gyms to watch workouts -- one in Santa Monica, another in Reseda and a third in Oakland on Saturday.

The three workouts were all different. Over 80 general managers and NBA scouts attended a group workout for the Wasserman group on Friday morning. The workout was headlined by Terrence Jones, Fab Melo and Tony Wroten Jr. The workout was drill-oriented and didn't involve any actual competition.

On Friday afternoon, I was in the 360 gym to watch trainer Joe Abunassar work out his clients -- Terrence Ross, Arnett Moultrie, Jet Chang and Terrell Stoglin. After the workout, I was able to see the top prospects compete in some competitive four-on-four action alongside and against NBA players Austin Daye and Rasual Butler.

• If the draft plays out the way we expect it to, nine of the top 10 players in the draft will come from five of the biggest programs in college basketball -- Kentucky, UConn, North Carolina, Kansas and Baylor.

The 10th will be from lowly Weber State. The Big Sky school is located 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City and isn't known for producing draft picks (its best player was Willard Sojourner, a second-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 1971) -- let alone lottery picks. So pardon Lillard if he thinks that his sudden thrust into the limelight is a bit surreal.

Yes, he was the second-best scorer in college basketball last season at 24.5 ppg. Yes, he ranked with the lowest turnovers per possession (one turnover every 8.9 possesion) for any point guard in the country. Yes, he ranked No. 2 in John Hollinger's college PER at 33.58 behind only Anthony Davis. And yes, that efficiency ranking was especially impressive because Lillard used 25 percent of his team's possessions while Davis used just 15 percent.

Nevertheless, juniors from Weber State who were lightly recruited out of high school and missed almost their entire sophomore seasons with injuries aren't supposed to be lottery picks.

"I was surprised," Lillard said when I asked him how he reacted when we pegged him as a lottery pick in Feb. 21. "I was hearing second round. Maybe late first round. When you come from a school like Weber State, that's the most you can hope for. But lottery? Don't get me wrong, I think I belong. I just didn't think anyone else did."

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Lillard owns a solid jump shot and showed that again during workouts.
Three months later, virtually everyone else does. The majority of scouts and GMs I spoke with this weekend had Lillard in the lottery. Many had him in the top 10. Most believe he'll be the first point guard taken on draft night. Once they see him in workouts, the few teams that are holding out are likely to come into the fold.

Lillard put on one of the most impressive workouts I've seen in a while. The grueling 1½-hour session had Lillard going full speed for the entire workout. He ran the length of the floor repeatedly, shuffled side to side with medicine balls, shot jumpers with a huge tether around his waist and, as the sweat poured down his face, he just kept hitting shot after shot after shot.

There are very few holes in Lillard's game. He's got a terrific jump shot with excellent range. While some scouts have questioned just how athletic he is, his agent, Aaron Goodwin, told me that he's consistently measuring out with a 40-inch vertical. On Saturday he was still exploding off the floor for emphatic dunks, even at the end of the workout. Lillard is quick with the ball and has a tight handle. While we didn't get to see this in the workout, he's a willing passer who is comfortable finding the open man.

Above it all, everyone who knows him says that the most impressive thing about Lillard is his work ethic. He is constantly trying to improve his game, and it's hard to get him out of the gym. He looked like he was incredible shape and has clearly been putting in the work to make sure teams know how good is.

It's tough to blame him.

Lillard was a late bloomer who didn't get much attention from scouting services or high-major recruiters (he was ranked as the No. 48 point guard in his class by ESPNU). He played AAU ball for the Oakland Rebels, not the elite Oakland Soldiers club. When Weber State came calling, Lillard was happy. After a terrific senior year in high school, a few major programs started to show interest, but Lillard felt like Weber State would be the best fit.

"I didn't want to be someone's backup plan," Lillard said. "I wanted to go to a team that wanted me to play an important role. I felt like Weber State would give me the chance to start over and become who I believed I could become. It was a great decision."

Lillard came in and was an instant impact player for the Wildcats. He averaged 11.5 ppg as a freshman and earned Big Sky freshman of the Year honors. As a sophomore, he averaged 19.9 ppg, shot 43 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 -- earning him first-team, all-Big Sky honors and getting him an honorable mention on the AP All-America team. As a junior, he broke his foot 10 games into the season and was given a medical redshirt by the NCAA.

Lillard spent the time off lifting weights and watching game film. He watched all 71 games the Wildcats had played in his time there and returned with both a stronger body and a higher basketball IQ.

Lillard was special as a junior and by midseason a number of scouts were predicting he could be the top point guard off the board on draft night. Lillard is now in competition with North Carolina's Kendall Marshall and Syracuse's Dion Waiters to be the first point guard off the board.

With several teams, including the Blazers, Raptors, Hornets and Suns (and possibly the Jazz if the Warriors fall to eighth in the lottery), on the prowl for a point guard, he could go as high as No. 6 and it's likely that he doesn't slip past 13 on draft night.

• The other player that really wowed me this weekend was Washington's Ross. Like Lillard, Ross is going to be impressive in workouts. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he worked out better than all of his competition at the 2-guard spot.

Why?

Video: Terrence Ross
Chad Ford says Washington's Terrence Ross was impressive during workouts and could get the edge over other shooting guards like Dion Waiters, Austin Rivers and Jeremy Lamb. Watch here.

Ross, Waiters, Jeremy Lamb and Austin Rivers are all in a bit of a scrum right now and, in a number of instances, will work out directly against each other for teams in June.

Ross has several advantages that should pop in workouts. First, he's the tallest of any of the shooting guards (he's measuring 6-foot-6 in socks, 6-foot-7 in shoes). He's also the most athletic. Ross is an explosive leaper, a blur up and down the court and has great lateral quickness. He's also the best shooter of the group. Not only did Ross shoot the highest percentage from 3 of any of the four players mentioned, he rarely missed anything in his workouts at 360. He's got a quick release and deep range. For a team looking for a pure shooter, he's by far the best choice in the lottery.

Ross also looked terrific in four-on-four play. His team was matched against Daye and Butler, and Ross more than looked like he belonged playing against and, later, with them. He was much more aggressive than what we saw at Washington, he hit a number of impressive 3s and had several highlight reel dunks in the course of the game. Had Ross played with a more conventional point guard last season (one that didn't dominate the ball as much as Wroten did), he could've put up much bigger numbers.

Waiters and Rivers are more aggressive scorers than Ross. Lamb is longer and may be the best defender of the group. It's clear that Ross needs to get stronger and work on his in-between game. But for a team looking for size, athleticism and shooting at the 2-guard position, he could be the guy. I think his range, like Waiters, Lillard and Lamb, is probably 6-13.

Impressing bigs

• I was also impressed with Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie. Two things immediately stand out about Moultrie.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Arnett Moultrie is one big man whose status could see some significant draft day helium.
First, he's an explosive leaper. He gets off the floor as fast as any big man I've seen this year, and during several drills he was getting his head above the rim. One of the things that Moultrie possesses that's important in the NBA is "second jump ability." He doesn't need any headway to leap that high, and after coming down he can spring right back up again.

Second, I think he's much more skilled as a perimeter player than he showed at Mississippi State. He has a very nice touch on his jump shot to 18 feet or so and has range all the way to the 3-point line. Though he showed more of this ability when he was at UTEP, it's still there.

Factor in that he is 6-11 and was the SEC's leading rebounder last season (no, it wasn't Davis), and those are four pretty strong factors in Moultrie's favor.

Moultrie needs to get stronger and improve his defense (he should be blocking many more shots than he did last season) and post play. But there is a lot there to work with for a team that needs an athletic big. I think he could be one of those players that rises dramatically as we get closer to the draft. Athletic bigs almost always do, and Moultrie isn't nearly as big of a project as most big men that get taken that high. I could see him going anywhere from No. 9 to No. 20 on draft night.

• Syracuse center Melo was the most impressive player I saw during the Wasserman workout in the morning. He has clearly slimmed down and was moving much better than I'd ever seen him at Syracuse.

He shows a solid touch around the basket and he can hit the 18-footer pretty regularly as well. He's going to be a big-time project for whoever takes him, and there will always be concerns about his dedication and motivation. But given his size and athletic ability, he might be worth the risk somewhere in the 15-No. 25 range.

• Because of a scheduling conflict, I only got to see the first 15 minutes of Jones' and Wroten's workouts.

What I saw consisted mostly of some shooting and ball-handling drills. Jones looked good in that setting, Wroten struggled.

I spoke with a number of scouts who stayed for the whole thing and they were generally impressed with Jones (though Jones has an uncanny ability to turn off some with his body language). He looked like he was in good shape, is a very good athlete for his size and has terrific length. He also shot the ball well. Scouts continue to raise questions about what position he'll play in the pros, but overall people were generally favorable about his workout.

Jones will be one of the most difficult players to peg in a mock draft. Some teams feel like he's a top-10 pick. Others have him just outside the lottery.

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Steven Bisig/US Presswire
Tony Wroten struggled during his workout, which could affect his draft status.
I wish I could say the same thing about Wroten. He has enormous potential. I think he could be one of the top five players in this draft based on pure talent. He's got uncanny floor vision, has great size for his position, is a terrific athlete and can be a lock-down defender when he wants to be. Scouts that love him see some Gary Payton and some Rajon Rondo in him.

However, he struggles as a shooter and the workout I saw only highlighted those struggles. In the first 15 minutes he missed a lot of shots, and scouts tell me it didn't get much better as the workout went on. Teams also questioned whether he can effectively run a NBA team given his penchant for dominating the ball. The talent is there, but is the desire?

I don't know the answer other than to say that scouts said virtually identical things about Rondo leading up to the 2006 draft. Rondo's shot was broken, he struggled to get along with his head coach, teams had major issues about his ability to be a leader on the floor, and Rondo (who was ranked No. 6 on our big board) slipped all the way to No. 21 on draft night.

Watching Rondo on Saturday during Game 7 against Philadelphia, you can see that scouts were right about some of his issues. He's still not a great shooter and at times takes himself out of the offense because he's afraid to shoot it. He can still be wild and turnover-prone. His struggles in the locker room with Doc Rivers have been well-documented. But he's also able to take over a game on both ends of the floor. His strengths ultimately outweigh his weaknesses.

If Wroten is going to succeed, he's going to have to model his game after Rondo's. He'll have to work on his jumper to the point that it's a potential weapon when it needs to be. He'll have to think pass first, focus on defense and take over the game offensively only when his team needs him to. He got away from all of that as a freshman and it caused him and Washington problems all season.

• Kentucky's Doron Lamb had a solid workout as well. But seeing him a day after watching John Jenkins, I think Jenkins might edge ahead of Lamb in workouts. Both are terrific shooters, but Jenkins brought a lot more intensity to the workout.

• I thought Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor shot and played really well in his workout Friday.

• Maryland's Terrell Stoglin can really score the ball. For a team looking for some instant offense off the bench, he should probably be in the conversation in the second round.

• BYU-Hawaii's Jet Chang played well in the four-on-four play with Ross, Moultrie, Daye, Stoglin and Butler. He got to the basket, hit some big shots and played tough defense on Ross on several occasions. A number of teams are bringing him in for workouts over the next few weeks. He's got an outside chance of making the second round.